2 Samuel 6 18

2 Samuel 6:18 kjv

And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

2 Samuel 6:18 nkjv

And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

2 Samuel 6:18 niv

After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty.

2 Samuel 6:18 esv

And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts

2 Samuel 6:18 nlt

When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 18 Meaning

2 Samuel 6:18 describes King David's pivotal act of worship and blessing immediately after the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, was safely brought into Jerusalem and placed in the tent David had prepared for it. Having concluded the ritual offerings of burnt offerings, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement, and peace offerings, signifying fellowship and thanksgiving to God, David pronounced a solemn blessing upon all the people. This blessing was not given in his own authority but "in the name of the LORD of hosts," affirming that the favor and well-being he sought for the people came directly from God, the mighty Commander of heavenly armies. This moment signifies the re-establishment of centralized worship, David's role as both king and a priestly figure, and God's powerful presence among His people.

2 Samuel 6 18 Context

This verse is the culmination of a significant theological and national event in Israel's history: the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Chapter 6 begins with David's initial, flawed attempt to move the Ark, resulting in Uzzah's death because the Ark was not transported according to divine instructions (on poles, carried by Kohathites, not on a new cart). This traumatic event instilled fear. After a period of three months, during which the Ark blessed Obed-Edom's house, David undertook a second, meticulous attempt (2 Sam 6:12-13), now correctly transporting it and sacrificing at intervals. The Ark's successful arrival in Jerusalem symbolizes God's return to the center of His people's life and capital. David's intense worship (dancing before the LORD in a linen ephod) signifies the personal and national rejoicing. The public offering and blessing of verse 18 formally consecrate this re-establishment of God's presence and affirm David's divinely sanctioned authority as king, performing an essential leadership function, often king-priestly, in national worship, leading the people in the proper approach to God after the initial misstep.

2 Samuel 6 18 Word Analysis

• And as soon as David had finished

  • Hebrew: וַיְכַל דָּוִד (Waykāl Dāwiḏ) - The verb כלה (kālāh) means "to finish," "complete," or "bring to an end." It emphasizes the successful and total completion of the sacrificial rites, signifying proper protocol was followed, unlike the initial Ark transport. This act of "finishing" signifies completeness and the proper termination of a sacred process, making the blessing that follows fully authorized and effectual.

• offering (Implied action)

  • The act of bringing offerings is central to Old Covenant worship, demonstrating devotion, seeking atonement, expressing thanks, and maintaining covenant relationship.

• burnt offerings

  • Hebrew: עֹלוֹת (‘ōlôt) - Plural of עֹלָה (‘ōlāh). This offering was completely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing total surrender, devotion, and propitiation for sin. Its rising smoke symbolized acceptance before God. The burnt offering signified consecration and provided general atonement for sins, restoring right relationship before God's presence.

• and peace offerings,

  • Hebrew: שְׁלָמִים (šəlāmîm) - Plural of שֶׁלֶם (šālem), meaning "whole," "complete," "sound." These offerings involved shared communion: parts were offered to God, parts given to the priests, and parts returned to the worshipper for a celebratory meal. They were typically given in thanksgiving, for a vow, or as a freewill offering. Šəlāmîm derived from שָׁלוֹם (šālōm, "peace"), emphasize fellowship, reconciliation, and restored well-being with God and community, creating a communal sacred feast.

• he blessed

  • Hebrew: וַיְבָרֶךְ (Wayəḇāreḵ) - From the root ברך (bārak), meaning "to bless." This involves conferring divine favor, prosperity, and well-being. David, as the king, acts as God's representative and intermediary. It's not a mere pronouncement but an invocation of God's tangible favor upon His people, reinforcing David's leadership as divinely ordained.

• the people

  • Hebrew: הָעָם (hā‘ām) - Refers to the entire Israelite community, indicating a national blessing, confirming their status as God's chosen people under His covenant. This inclusivity highlights the communal nature of their relationship with God and David's universal responsibility for his flock.

• in the name of the LORD of hosts.

  • Hebrew: בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת (bəšēm YHWH Tsəḇāʾôt)
    • בְּשֵׁם (bəšēm): "In the name of." This phrase indicates authority, representation, and the invoking of the person's character and power. David blessed, not from his own authority, but as a vessel, channeling God's power and intent. It highlights dependence on God for the efficacy of the blessing.
    • יְהוָה (YHWH): The tetragrammaton, the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent and eternal nature. It signifies His unchanging faithfulness and His specific relationship with Israel.
    • צְבָאוֹת (Tsəḇāʾôt): "Hosts" or "armies." This refers to God's supreme command over all heavenly armies (angels, stars) and earthly forces. The title "LORD of hosts" emphasizes God's omnipotence, His absolute sovereignty, His capacity to fulfill His blessings, and His protective presence. It underlines that the blessing originates from the supreme and all-powerful deity, not a limited human ruler. This majestic title would have profoundly resonated with a people who had just experienced a significant national moment involving divine power and consequence.

2 Samuel 6 18 Bonus Section

The context of this blessing is also a display of David's kingly hegemony (supremacy) within the ancient Near East understanding of kingship. Kings were often seen as mediating figures between the gods and the people, ensuring prosperity through cultic acts. David, uniquely, performs this mediation by submitting fully to Yahweh's covenantal requirements, highlighting the unique nature of Israel's monotheistic kingship against polytheistic neighbors.

The contrast between the initial attempt to move the Ark and the successful second attempt is crucial for understanding 2 Samuel 6:18. The first attempt's failure (Uzzah's death in 2 Sam 6:7) showed the dire consequences of disobedience regarding divine commands, emphasizing God's holiness. The second attempt, leading to the blessing, highlights the importance of precise obedience in drawing near to God. The blessing pronounced "in the name of the LORD of hosts" therefore carries extra weight, as it affirms that proper reverence and submission to God's commands unlock His favor and peace. This incident ultimately shows that even sincere zeal (like David's desire for the Ark to be in Jerusalem) must be coupled with biblical fidelity and humble submission to God's prescribed ways for divine blessing to be truly secured.

2 Samuel 6 18 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:18 marks the sacred conclusion of a momentous national undertaking: bringing the Ark of the Covenant, God's dwelling place among them, into David's capital, Jerusalem. This act solidified Jerusalem as the spiritual and political heart of Israel. David's meticulous adherence to proper sacrificial protocols, evidenced by completing both burnt offerings (symbolizing absolute surrender and atonement) and peace offerings (signifying restored fellowship and joy), shows his deep understanding of proper worship after the initial costly error with Uzzah.

The ensuing blessing of "the people in the name of the LORD of hosts" highlights David's unique role. As king, he performs an act often associated with priests (such as the Aaronic blessing in Num 6:23-27), demonstrating his divinely appointed authority as a "shepherd-king" over God's flock, capable of mediating between God and His people, prefiguring Christ's role as both King and High Priest. This was not a usurpation of the Levitical priesthood but an exercise of royal, prophetic, and paterfamilias authority appropriate for such a national foundational religious event. The inclusion of "LORD of hosts" powerfully reaffirms God's absolute sovereignty and capacity to bless and protect. This phrase underscores His unlimited power as Commander of all creation, assuring the people that their well-being is guaranteed by an infinitely mighty God. The whole event is a profound lesson in reverence, correct worship, God's enduring presence, and the essential link between national well-being and covenant faithfulness.

Examples:

• For Worship Leaders: Demonstrates the importance of concluding a significant worship event with a communal blessing, invoking God's name and character.
• For Leaders: David’s role exemplifies humble, consecrated leadership that channels divine blessings, prioritizing spiritual well-being for the community.
• For Believers: Reminds us that all true blessings flow from God alone, not human effort, and come when we approach Him according to His ways.